John Knox was a Scottish minister, theologian, and writer who was a leader of the country’s Reformation in the 16th century. He was the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Knox is considered the leader of the Scottish Reformation and one of the most influential religious reformers in Scotland’s history.
Here is an overview of John Knox’s life and legacy:
Early Life
John Knox was born around 1513 near Haddington, Scotland. He studied at the University of St Andrews and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1536. However, Knox soon converted to the ideas of the Protestant Reformation and became a follower of the Protestant preacher George Wishart.
After Wishart was executed for heresy in 1546, Knox took over leadership of the reformist cause. He was appointed preacher at St. Andrews and began publicly attacking the Roman Catholic church and its doctrines. This led to Knox being arrested and sentenced to 19 months imprisonment as a galley slave.
Exile in England
After his release in 1549, Knox fled to England to avoid further persecution. There he preached Protestant doctrines in the city of Berwick and possibly in Newcastle. Under the reign of the young Edward VI, Knox had relative freedom to promote reformist ideas in England.
However, when the Catholic Mary I came to the throne, Knox was forced to flee England for Geneva in 1554. In Geneva, Knox met and was influenced by John Calvin, one of the leaders of the Reformation. It was here that Knox’s ideas on church government began to take shape.
Return to Scotland
After Mary I’s death in 1558, Knox returned to Scotland to promote Protestant reforms. He wrote a famous tract denouncing female monarchs, aimed at the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots. Knox’s ideas quickly gained traction and by 1560 Scotland officially became a Protestant nation.
Knox preached a sermon at the coronation of the young King James VI which led to an attack on Catholic icons and art. He helped draft the Scots Confession – a major Reformed church statement – and the First Book of Discipline detailing a new church order.
Establishing Presbyterianism
A crucial part of Knox’s reforming work was establishing a Presbyterian system of church government in Scotland. This was laid out in the Second Book of Discipline (1578).
Under Presbyterianism, local congregations have elected elders who govern individual churches. Groups of local churches send representatives to regional presbyteries, and above them are synods and national assemblies. This contrasted with the top-down rule of bishops in Catholicism.
For Knox, Presbyterian church government best accorded with Biblical teachings. The system also ensured the influence of local congregations in church affairs. Presbyterianism became an enduring part of the Scottish Reformed tradition.
Preaching and Writing
As a preacher, Knox was fiery, intense, and uncompromising. His sermons denounced immorality and corruption, and called people to repent and submit to God’s laws. Knox helped popularize Calvinist doctrines like predestination and justification by faith.
Knox was also a prolific writer. Two of his most influential works were The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women (1558) and The History of the Reformation in Scotland (completed in 1566).
Through his preaching, writing, and organization, Knox cemented the Scottish Reformation. At his funeral in 1572 Knox was hailed as the “father of the Scottish Reformation.” His influence continues today through Presbyterian denominations worldwide.
Theology and Teachings
As a theologian, John Knox was strongly influenced by John Calvin and other Calvinist reformers. Some key theological aspects included:
- The sole authority of the Bible – for Knox, the Bible as God’s Word was the only infallible authority for doctrine and practice.
- The sovereignty of God – God is sovereign over all creation and predestines people for salvation or damnation.
- Original sin – all people have been corrupted by Adam’s Fall and sin against God.
- Justification by faith – sinners are saved from damnation only by faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, not by good works.
- The priesthood of all believers – all Christians have direct access to God without requiring priests or bishops.
- Sacraments as signs – sacraments like baptism and communion are outward signs of God’s promises, not means of imparting grace.
- Idolatry of the Mass – Knox condemned the Catholic Mass as idolatrous and opposed the veneration of saints.
On church government, Knox argued from Scripture that churches should be led by elders/presbyters and deacons, not an institutional priesthood or bishops.
In terms of ethics, Knox called for obedience to God’s moral law as presented in the Ten Commandments. He denounced greed, sexual immorality, and the oppression of the poor and weak.
Controversies and Criticisms
While a key figure in the Scottish Reformation, John Knox has been a controversial figure. Here are some areas of controversy:
- His intolerance of the Catholic faith – Knox vehemently attacked Catholic doctrines and practices to the point of condoning the destruction of Catholic art and architecture.
- His view of female rulers – in The First Blast of the Trumpet, Knox argued that women were unfit for rule based on Eve’s Fall and should not govern over men.
- Use of violence – Knox did not condemn violence against idolatry and heresy, and his preaching was blamed for inciting anti-Catholic riots.
- Severity and lack of compassion – some considered Knox’s style too harsh, lacking in moderation, subtlety and compassion.
- Rigid moralism – Knox has been accused of a rigid, theocratic moralism that did not account for human weakness.
However, biographers argue there was another more nuanced side to Knox. He could show empathy and adaptability in implementing reforms. While fierce in denouncing enemies of true religion, Knox was also compassionate to the repentant and the poor.
Legacy and Influence
John Knox left an enormous impact on the society, culture and religious life of Scotland. His major achievements and influences include:
- Leading Scotland to reject Roman Catholicism and adopt Protestant doctrines.
- Establishing the Presbyterian system of church government that continues today.
- Furthering the ideas of Calvinism and Calvin’s reforms.
- Producing reforms of education, poor relief and morality.
- Promoting widespread Bible reading and emphasis on preaching.
- Providing an example of fearless, uncompromising preaching and leadership.
- Influencing later leaders of the Covenanter movement that opposed interference of the Stuart kings and bishops in Scottish church affairs.
Through his tireless efforts, John Knox secured the Protestant Reformation in Scotland and shaped the country’s religious identity for centuries. He exemplified the zeal and courage of a reformer willing to challenge corrupt powers for the sake of true religion.
Knox’s legacy continues today through Presbyterian denominations worldwide, from conservative bodies like the OPC and PCA to mainstream churches like the Church of Scotland. Wherever Reformed and Calvinist influences are found, the mark of Knox’s reforming spirit continues to leave its imprint.